Treatment of progressive neurodegenerative disease with ibudilast
Compositions and methods for treating progressive neurodegenerative diseases, and their associated symptoms by administration of ibudilast (3-isobutyryl-2-isopropylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine).
1. A method of reducing brain volume loss in a patient diagnosed with a progressive form of multiple sclerosis, comprising administering to the patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
2. The method of claim 1 which further comprises observing changes in the patient's cerebral MR or CT images to track changes in the patient's brain volume.
3. The method of claim 1 in which the ibudilast or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered for at least six months.
4. The method of claim 1 in which the ibudilast or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered for at least one year.
5. The method of claim 1 in which the ibudilast or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered for at least two years.
6. The method of claim 1 in which the ibudilast or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered at least once daily.
7. The method of claim 1 in which the ibudilast or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered orally.
8. The method of claim 1 in which the ibudilast or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered in an amount of 30 mg to 240 mg daily.
9. The method of claim 1 in which the progressive form of multiple sclerosis has progressed beyond relapse remitting multiple sclerosis.
10. The method of claim 9 in which the patient has been diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.
11. The method of claim 9 in which the patient has been diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis.